|  No
one myself included would have thought that the New York
Knicks would be in a complete state of turmoil in the years
following the departure of Patrick Ewing. Immediately after
the Ewing’s years Allan Houston emerged as the would-be
star, along with a long list of potential big game players
like Marcus Camby, Chris Childs, Latrell Sprewell and Charlie
Ward. They were sure to help propel the team to a nice championship
run. The team seemed to be in good hands with a coach like
Jeff Van Gundy; and for fans it seemed as if the best was
yet to come. With all this it seems Knick fans have been
failed by the team over the last few years and instead of
getting better it appears that they are going from bad to
worse.
Since the playoff run of 1999, the Knicks were able to make
playoff runs in 2000 and in 2001, but they got so far for
the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors respectfully
to defeat them. Patrick Ewing was traded to Seattle before
the 2000-01 season, and Jeff Van Gundy retires just two
months into the 2001-02 season. Larry Johnson went on to
retire because of back injuries and other players Marcus
Camby and Latrell Sprewell were traded to Western Conference
teams they helped propel to playoff runs last season. Nothing
good has come since, nothing, even the streak of consecutive
games with a sellout crowd ended. And after 15 straight
seasons with a trip to the playoffs that streak too was
ended. The Knicks have had 3 different coaches (all of who
were-or are soon to be-fired) in Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkens
and most recently Herb Williams. Chaney’s run was
the longest and least impressive, taking over the team for
two seasons, somehow gaining a major contract extension
although he was never able to take the Knicks to a playoff
series. Last season Isiah Thomas fired him after he went
72-112 in two plus seasons in New York. He was fired after
taking the Knicks nowhere fast and the team’s fans
gave a nightly chant of “Fire Chaney.” Isiah
Thomas was hired as the Knicks General Manager and President
of Basketball Operations after they fired Scott Layden who
made many awful decisions for the Knicks. Thomas, a former
championship winning Detroit Piston guard, coach and president
of the Indiana Pacers seemed like a pretty good fit for
the Knicks. Thomas seemed to have a vision of his own for
the team and he went straight into it. In about one seasons
time he has replaced the entire coaching staff except two
assistants and only three players remain from the beginning
of last season: Allan Houston (can’t afford to trade
him), Kurt Thomas (repeatedly tried to trade him), and Michael
Sweetney.
Isiah Thomas has murdered the essence of New York basketball
and instead of allowing veteran players to take the squad
to their winning ways he brought in run down players and
coaches while taking on contracts that make absolutely no
sense to the everyday sports fan let alone to actual sports
writers. Hiring Lenny Wilkens, a veteran coach and former
player withNo one myself included would have thought that
the New York Knicks would be in a complete state of turmoil
in the years following the departure of Patrick Ewing. Immediately
after the Ewing’s years Allan Houston emerged as the
would-be star, along with a long list of potential big game
players like Marcus Camby, Chris Childs, Latrell Sprewell
and Charlie Ward. They were sure to help propel the team
to a nice championship run. The team seemed to be in good
hands with a coach like Jeff Van Gundy; and for fans it
seemed as if the best was yet to come. With all this it
seems Knick fans have been failed by the team over the last
few years and instead of getting better it appears that
they are going from bad to worse.
Since the playoff run of 1999, the Knicks were able to make
playoff runs in 2000 and in 2001, but they got so far for
the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors respectfully
to defeat them. Patrick Ewing was traded to Seattle before
the 2000-01 season, and Jeff Van Gundy retires just two
months into the 2001-02 season. Larry Johnson went on to
retire because of back injuries and other players Marcus
Camby and Latrell Sprewell were traded to Western Conference
teams they helped propel to playoff runs last season. Nothing
good has come since, nothing, even the streak of consecutive
games with a sellout crowd ended. And after 15 straight
seasons with a trip to the playoffs that streak too was
ended. The Knicks have had 3 different coaches (all of who
were-or are soon to be-fired) in Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkens
and most recently Herb Williams. Chaney’s run was
the longest and least impressive, taking over the team for
two seasons, somehow gaining a major contract extension
although he was never able to take the Knicks to a playoff
series. Last season Isiah Thomas fired him after he went
72-112 in two plus seasons in New York. He was fired after
taking the Knicks nowhere fast and the team’s fans
gave a nightly chant of “Fire Chaney.” Isiah
Thomas was hired as the Knicks General Manager and President
of Basketball Operations after they fired Scott Layden who
made many awful decisions for the Knicks. Thomas, a former
championship winning Detroit Piston guard, coach and president
of the Indiana Pacers seemed like a pretty good fit for
the Knicks. Thomas seemed to have a vision of his own for
the team and he went straight into it. In about one seasons
time he has replaced the entire coaching staff except two
assistants and only three players remain from the beginning
of last season: Allan Houston (can’t afford to trade
him), Kurt Thomas (repeatedly tried to trade him), and Michael
Sweetney.
Isiah Thomas has murdered the essence of New York basketball
and instead of allowing veteran players to take the squad
to their winning ways he brought in run down players and
coaches while taking on contracts that make absolutely no
sense to the everyday sports fan let alone to actual sports
writers. Hiring Lenny Wilkens, a veteran coach and former
player with the highest winning record in the NBA-and the
highest losing record- may have sounded good but it was
ridiculous to believe he could be a good New York coach.
Although Wilkens knows what it takes to win championships
he doesn’t know what it takes to coach a REAL team.
He hasn’t been able to take a team to the championships
since 1979. The Knicks should’ve just called in Willis
Reed. Wilkens last coaching job was a disappointing Toronto
Raptors team who were lucky enough to defeat the Knicks
in a playoff series a few seasons back. Even those Raptors
were kicked out the playoffs next round.
Isiah’s next move was for Stephon Marbury who is originally
from Coney Island, Brookly and is one of the NBA’s
best point guards. Again sounds like a good move but again
not Knicks caliber. Sure Steph’s one of the best point
guards in the NBA but since when did point guards when championships.
The last guard to impact the finals was Michael and he was
a shooting guard. Even Jason Kidd who’s right across
the river is better then Marbury but still hasn’t
taken his team to a title. Marbury has been in the NBA for
8 seasons. He has played along side Kevin Garnett for the
Minnesota Timberwolves and he’s played for the Nets
and the Phoenix Suns. Throughout his tenure he has yet to
WIN ONE playoff series and he hasn’t created a buzz
in the league since he left New Jersey. Even more incredible
is that every team he was traded from improved drastically
the season after he left, the Timberwolves actually won
a playoff series, The Nets went on to the NBA finals, and
just look at the Suns, the best record in the league. Isiah
went on to add Anfernee Hardaway (formerly Penny) who hasn’t
been a threat since Shaq left the Magic. He also added Nzar
Muhammed (who?), Tim Thomas, Moochie Norris, and a bunch
of other players who have no chance of having their jerseys
sold in any retail store. The only sensible move Thomas
has made was the acquisition of Jamal Crawford a shooting
guard with big play flare. If not for his crossover and
his no chance shots that go in this season would be a complete
disappointment.
Apparently, Isiah Thomas was not done putting the team in
situations they could not get out of. Before Thursday's
3p.m. trading deadline Isiah added over $32 million in future
salary and two nameless forwards. The Knicks lost Nzar Mohammed,
their only true center, which brings them back to the days
immediately following the departure of Patrick Ewing. Kurt
Thomas, who is constantly in trade talks and was almost
traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Drew Gooden, is now
taking the position of center. At 6'10 Tim Thomas is the
tallest Knick but Kurt is the most intimidating though he
only stands at 6'9. Michael Sweetney is the Knicks biggest
player but he is only in his second season and when he plays
against intimidating players like Ben Wallace and Jermaine
O'neal Sweetney is no competition.
The Knicks did, on the bright side get rid of seldom used
players, Moochie Norris, Vin Baker and Jamison Brewer but
that leaves them with only one point guard in Stephon Marbury.
Although Jamal Crawford and Anfernee Hardaway both have
ball handling skills they are not point guards, so if Marbury
gets injured the Knicks will be in trouble. The Knicks also
got two first round picks from the Spurs, which gives them
four first round picks in the next two years. Unfortunately
for the Knicks though those picks are coming from the Phoenix
Suns and the San Antonio Spurs who are currently in the
top five teams in the NBA right now so barring a season
ending collapse or multiple injuries all the picks they
receive will be late first rounders.
With that said it’s imperative that the Knicks make
a run in the second half of the season. There are too many
jobs on the line for them to continue to play the lackadaisical
ball the rest of the season. After losing 13 of 17 games
to close out the first half of the season the team is still
only 6 games away from the top seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
The team can’t afford to lose games, Isiah Thomas’s
job would be on the line and he too might end up resigning
if the team can’t salvage 40 wins. Herb Williams a
popular Knick cannot end his first coaching position with
a losing record. His opportunity as a Knicks coach or any
other teams coach would be over. With support from Patrick
Ewing, Jeff Van Gundy and countless other former Knicks
he can’t let himself or the fans down.
Unfortunately even with a trip to the playoffs and the third
seed clinched the Knicks still aren’t anywhere close
to a championship team. So next season we’d be back
here a struggling squad trying to get a winning season.
the highest winning record in the NBA-and the highest losing
record- may have sounded good but it was ridiculous to believe
he could be a good New York coach. Although Wilkens knows
what it takes to win championships he doesn’t know
what it takes to coach a REAL team. He hasn’t been
able to take a team to the championships since 1979. The
Knicks should’ve just called in Willis Reed. Wilkens
last coaching job was a disappointing Toronto Raptors team
who were lucky enough to defeat the Knicks in a playoff
series a few seasons back. Even those Raptors were kicked
out the playoffs next round.
Isiah’s next move was for Stephon Marbury who is originally
from Coney Island, Brookly and is one of the NBA’s
best point guards. Again sounds like a good move but again
not Knicks caliber. Sure Steph’s one of the best point
guards in the NBA but since when did point guards when championships.
The last guard to impact the finals was Michael and he was
a shooting guard. Even Jason Kidd who’s right across
the river is better then Marbury but still hasn’t
taken his team to a title. Marbury has been in the NBA for
8 seasons. He has played along side Kevin Garnett for the
Minnesota Timberwolves and he’s played for the Nets
and the Phoenix Suns. Throughout his tenure he has yet to
WIN ONE playoff series and he hasn’t created a buzz
in the league since he left New Jersey. Even more incredible
is that every team he was traded from improved drastically
the season after he left, the Timberwolves actually won
a playoff series, The Nets went on to the NBA finals, and
just look at the Suns, the best record in the league. Isiah
went on to add Anfernee Hardaway (formerly Penny) who hasn’t
been a threat since Shaq left the Magic. He also added Nzar
Muhammed (who?), Tim Thomas, Moochie Norris, and a bunch
of other players who have no chance of having their jerseys
sold in any retail store. The only sensible move Thomas
has made was the acquisition of Jamal Crawford a shooting
guard with big play flare. If not for his crossover and
his no chance shots that go in this season would be a complete
disappointment.
Apparently, Isiah Thomas was not done putting the team in
situations they could not get out of. Before Thursday's
3p.m. trading deadline Isiah added over $32 million in future
salary and two nameless forwards. The Knicks lost Nzar Mohammed,
their only true center, which brings them back to the days
immediately following the departure of Patrick Ewing. Kurt
Thomas, who is constantly in trade talks and was almost
traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Drew Gooden, is now
taking the position of center. At 6'10 Tim Thomas is the
tallest Knick but Kurt is the most intimidating though he
only stands at 6'9. Michael Sweetney is the Knicks biggest
player but he is only in his second season and when he plays
against intimidating players like Ben Wallace and Jermaine
O'neal Sweetney is no competition.
 The
Knicks did, on the bright side get rid of seldom used players,
Moochie Norris, Vin Baker and Jamison Brewer but that leaves
them with only one point guard in Stephon Marbury. Although
Jamal Crawford and Anfernee Hardaway both have ball handling
skills they are not point guards, so if Marbury gets injured
the Knicks will be in trouble. The Knicks also got two first
round picks from the Spurs, which gives them four first
round picks in the next two years. Unfortunately for the
Knicks though those picks are coming from the Phoenix Suns
and the San Antonio Spurs who are currently in the top five
teams in the NBA right now so barring a season ending collapse
or multiple injuries all the picks they receive will be
late first rounders.
With that said it’s imperative that the Knicks make
a run in the second half of the season. There are too many
jobs on the line for them to continue to play the lackadaisical
ball the rest of the season. After losing 13 of 17 games
to close out the first half of the season the team is still
only 6 games away from the top seeded Philadelphia 76ers.
The team can’t afford to lose games, Isiah Thomas’s
job would be on the line and he too might end up resigning
if the team can’t salvage 40 wins. Herb Williams a
popular Knick cannot end his first coaching position with
a losing record. His opportunity as a Knicks coach or any
other teams coach would be over. With support from Patrick
Ewing, Jeff Van Gundy and countless other former Knicks
he can’t let himself or the fans down.
Unfortunately even with a trip to the playoffs and the third
seed clinched the Knicks still aren’t anywhere close
to a championship team. So next season we’d be back
here a struggling squad trying to get a winning season.
|
